The decision by Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams to travel to the United States to have an undisclosed heart operation has sparked controversy, but the head of the local health authority said it's not uncommon to send patients out of province for cardiac care.
The CEO of Eastern Health, Vickie Kaminski, said Tuesday afternoon that Williams had all of his diagnostic work done in Newfoundland and was then referred out of the province for treatment.
"All of the diagnostic work for the premier was done by Eastern Health and he has certainly told us that he was very satisfied with the care he received," Kaminski told NTV.
Earlier Tuesday, deputy premier Kathy Dunderdale confirmed Williams is in the United States for heart surgery and could be off the job for up to 12 weeks.
Dunderdale told reporters that Williams travelled to the U.S. for the surgery because it wasn't being offered to him in his home province.
"Having the surgery done in the province was never an option," Dunderdale said.
"Based on all the medical advice that he's received, he is doing what's best for him," she added, "and (doing) everything he can to ensure that he can have the best outcome from the surgery and that he can be back on his feet, back here doing his job as quickly as possible."
"I'm not going to get into details, any heart surgery is serious, but his prognosis is very good."
Dunderdale will serve as the province's acting premier until Williams is ready to return to work. Williams is expected to have a recovery time of three to 12 weeks.
The province's Liberal Leader Yvonne Jones and NDP Leader Lorraine Michael both expressed their best wishes to Williams for a full and fast recovery.
But Jones also said the premier should explain to the public why he sought medical care in the U.S.
"I think there is a responsibility to disclose that to the public especially if these procedures . . . are not available in Newfoundland or not available in Canada," she said. "That should be a concern for all of us."
Dr. Robert Roberts, University of Ottawa Heart Institute president, told CTV News Channel's Power Play that there are no wait times for cardiac surgery in Canada.
"Canada . . . gives superb (cardiac) care," he said. "Our statistics for complications in surgery are comprisable to the very best in the U.S."
"I don't think the answer is that there's a particular procedure that couldn't be done in Canada," Roberts said. "He's a private citizen, who certainly has the right to choose where he wants to get the procedure done."
Reports say Williams, a 60-year-old father of four, has shown no outward signs of illness. Friends say he had been playing hockey on a regular basis until recently.
Just last Friday he appeared before reporters alongside Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Dunderdale would not reveal on what day and where in the U.S. Williams will have the operation. There are reports Williams is in Florida for the surgery.
She also said she did not know if Williams is personally paying for his medical expenses. The premier, a wealthy former lawyer and businessman, donates his premier's salary to charity.
"I would expect that he is eligible for all that the rest of us would be in terms of our own private insurance or government insurance and I'm sure if there's anything over and above that the premier will certainly take care of it himself," Dunderdale said.
Dunderdale said that Williams will be assessed after the surgery, and could be off the job for three to 12 weeks. He will speak publicly about his medical condition when he recovers, she said.
"Once they get the surgery done they'll have a look at him," Hutton said earlier Tuesday. "I think it's no secret Premier Danny Williams is a go-getter, he works 16-18 hours a day, plays recreational hockey, he is in good shape. But this kind of thing can hit anyone as we know."
Williams has shown no signs of slowing down or that he's considering retirement. On numerous occasions over the past several months, he has said he will run in the next provincial election, which is scheduled for 2011.
